SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake
released on Jan 31, 2023
Wish-granting Mermaid’s Tears in the hands of SpongeBob and Patrick… What could go wrong? Sure, the very fabric holding the universe together could come undone, opening portals into wild Wishworlds. But that’s nothing our favorite sponge can’t handle- with the right cosmic costume!
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This review contains spoilers
I desperately want to like this game a lot more than I do. The presentation is good and it overall feels pretty good to play. And I love that it exists at all, I'm begging for more licensed games. But it just feels like it's on autopilot. Collectathon elements are hugely downplayed here in favor of focusing on incredibly average platforming, and I really think that does this game no favors. BFBB was good because it leaned on its strengths most of the time, this instead hones in on every weakness more often than not. Levels are long and really straightforward so going back to 100% them is a chore. The writing is ok as far as modern spongebob goes, (Frankly better than BFBB's writing by a longshot, and they actually got Tom Clancy for Mr. Krabbs for once) And there was a few fun boss fights and highlights here and there. But big picture a lot of it is a lot more dull than it should be.
BFBB isn't beloved for its platforming prowess and variety of combat encounters, the refusal to just make a BK styled game in the modern era is just an act of self sabotage and I don't get it. It's serviceable and not entirely miserable if you're in the mood for something mindless and you're a fan of the series. But it doesn't go hard. They really got the iconic Band Geeks song "Sweet Victory" to drum up hype in the trailer, and then proceed to NOT play it until the credits. Bro play it during the final boss, where's the vision? It's not hard to go hard dude why do modern games not understand this? Play sweet victory during the final boss and the score goes up, it's that heckin easy, you have the song. Why everything gotta be so limp bro just go hard why is everything so afraid to go hard now? Losing my mind, it's so close just be heckin cool man what's this era's fascination with surface level callbacks combined with a strict wall saying we're not allowed to do anything with said callbacks?
Also this industry really do be so starved for ideas we've ended up with dodge rolls in heckin' Spongebob combat come on dude.
I guess I'll spoiler warning just 'cuz I mentioned it plays sweet victory even tho they used it in the trailer. But did they REALLY use it?
BFBB isn't beloved for its platforming prowess and variety of combat encounters, the refusal to just make a BK styled game in the modern era is just an act of self sabotage and I don't get it. It's serviceable and not entirely miserable if you're in the mood for something mindless and you're a fan of the series. But it doesn't go hard. They really got the iconic Band Geeks song "Sweet Victory" to drum up hype in the trailer, and then proceed to NOT play it until the credits. Bro play it during the final boss, where's the vision? It's not hard to go hard dude why do modern games not understand this? Play sweet victory during the final boss and the score goes up, it's that heckin easy, you have the song. Why everything gotta be so limp bro just go hard why is everything so afraid to go hard now? Losing my mind, it's so close just be heckin cool man what's this era's fascination with surface level callbacks combined with a strict wall saying we're not allowed to do anything with said callbacks?
Also this industry really do be so starved for ideas we've ended up with dodge rolls in heckin' Spongebob combat come on dude.
I guess I'll spoiler warning just 'cuz I mentioned it plays sweet victory even tho they used it in the trailer. But did they REALLY use it?
If you enjoyed Battle for Bikini Bottom and simply want more of the same, then this games perfect for you. This game doesn't really innovate much on it's predecessor. Lacked polish in some areas. If you weren't too keen on the first game then skip this one.
This game is truly fantastic
got the plat for this and it genuinly improved my experience with the game. better than BFBB for sure and a worthwhile game to get when its on sale. just classic 3d platforming fun
Strong back half, but doesn't really start with its best foot forward. It does introduces a traversal mechanics pretty late, i.e. the very last level. I get they want you to go back to each level, but "replay everything but this time with a couple extra goodies to pick up" is not compelling game design. Solid platformer, funny enough script, and good use of the IP. Battle for Bikini Bottom is still the stronger entry, though.
While the premise of multiverses has recently become more common in mainstream pop culture, I find that it offers a lot of fun opportunities for storytelling and aesthetic variety.
And this game nails that latter aspect, as the levels you get to explore are so varied and visually interesting and pleasing that I think it provides an excellent backdrop for this game.
The gameplay is very much a PS2 esc platformer, which is not a bad thing, but with the added polish and honing in on having SpongeBob be the only character you play as, I’m willing to say this game is better than Battle for Bikini Bottom.
It just nails what it’s going for, and while the writing isn’t crème of the crop, the characters are entertaining and well executed overall and you really get sense that this game was a labor of love.
And this game nails that latter aspect, as the levels you get to explore are so varied and visually interesting and pleasing that I think it provides an excellent backdrop for this game.
The gameplay is very much a PS2 esc platformer, which is not a bad thing, but with the added polish and honing in on having SpongeBob be the only character you play as, I’m willing to say this game is better than Battle for Bikini Bottom.
It just nails what it’s going for, and while the writing isn’t crème of the crop, the characters are entertaining and well executed overall and you really get sense that this game was a labor of love.